Stay ConnectedVeteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they’ve learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga.
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Liz and Sarah discuss the downside of being deadline driven. They love a deadline, but sometimes creative projects need more room to breathe than a deadline allows. In Take A Hike, Sarah suggests growing something. She’s taken up gardening, and it’s making her happier, healthier, and more productive! Then Liz gives herself a Hit for being a connector, and Sarah gives a Bomb to the Ojai trash system. This week’s Hollywood Hack will add more fun to your life: get the whimsical version of something you need (like paper clips). Finally, Liz recommends the book Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Happier In Hollywood on Substack:
https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott:
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft:
Navigating the Future of Entertainment Summit:
https://members.thearnoldacademy.com/navigating-the-future-of-creative-work-live-summit
Drama Darling podcast:
Grosse Pointe Garden Society trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwJ8P6GZvkU
Midori paper clips:
More cute paper clips:
Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America: https://amzn.to/4mTKrIJ
Photo by Dan Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s useful to make a list of priorities. They made a project priority list during their recent Hive ‘25, and it’s helped them make important decisions. In Take A Hike, they discuss embracing a slow start to the morning. Sarah’s slow start includes a daily tour of her garden, and Liz can’t get going until she’s done all the New York Times puzzles. Then, in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about the value of tinkering. A small change can make a BIG difference. This week’s Hollywood Hack will save you money: directions on how to unsubscribe on your iPhone. Finally, Sarah recommends Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan:
Photo by Frank Flores on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! If they could write a crossover of any two shows, what would they be? Have they ever hated their job or thought about quitting? How much time does Sarah spend homeschooling? And what was Liz’s mother-in-law’s reaction to the infamous PedEgg gift? They answer these questions and many more! (Note: Sarah and Liz answer additional listener questions live every Saturday at 9:30AM PT as part of their free Substack newsletter.)
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
LINKS:
Happier In Hollywood on Substack:
https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search
Laverne McKinnon — Moonshot Mentor:
https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/
Lizness School podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lizness-school/id1775855173
Lian Dolan’s new book Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding:
PedEgg Classic Callus Remover:
PedEgg Power Cordless Callus Remover:
PHOTO:
Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash
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In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah revisit some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors to spotting A-list stars in line at the pharmacy. They’ve driven around town to look at billboards of their shows, had breakfast at The Polo Lounge with a con man, and been fired (twice.)
Get in touch on Twitter: @sarahmfain & @elizabethcraft
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Side Hustle School, and Everything Happens with Kate Bowler . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk to best-selling author and friend of the pod, Melissa de la Cruz, about the state of publishing, her new novel When Stars Align, and her passion for fashion. In Take A Hike, inspired by her recent trip to the Renaissance Fair, Sarah shares why you should attend an Immersion Event. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you understand fandom better (your own and other people’s) — a breakdown of the five kinds of fans. Finally, Sarah recommends going to a honey tasting at the Heavenly Honey Company of Ojai.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
When Stars Align by Melissa de la Cruz:
Melissa de la Cruz:
Heavenly Honey Company:
https://heavenlyhoneycompany.com/
Photo by Sarah Lee on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk about one of Liz’s biggest work hurdles — mild face blindness. It can be quite awkward when she doesn’t recognize someone they just had a meeting with! Then they introduce an exciting new segment — Career Lessons With Laverne — in which Career Coach extraordinaire, Laverne McKinnon, shares her insights about career grief, career pivots, and career transitions. Today’s topic? Sprouting versus blossoming. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you bond with coworkers: Create inside jokes. Finally, Liz recommends The Four Seasons on Netflix.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and Side Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Happier In Hollywood on Substack:
https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search
Laverne McKinnon — Moonshot Mentor:
https://www.lavernemckinnon.com/
The Four Seasons trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKTwtIL4xyk
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah discuss how watching their former co-worker, actor Walton Goggins, “go for it” on screen makes them want to go for it in their writing. Letting go of boundaries can lead to powerful art. In The Craft (& Fain), they talk about what makes a great work bio. Next, Liz gives a Hit to her sister Gretchen for convincing her to get rid of her giant computer monitor, and Sarah has a Bomb for Douglas from Facebook Marketplace who failed to show up for their appointment. This week’s Hollywood Hack will improve your work life — use a bag organizer. Finally, Sarah recommends Holy Honey.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s free weekly newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Walton Goggins:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324658/
The Shield trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klSVH4dJrGU
Sarah’s bag organizer from Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1823579579/boat-and-tote-compatible-extra-large-xl
Givlefly Handbag Organizer:
Holy Honey:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk about how to figure out if something in your work life is an albatross, and what you can do to get rid of it. One tip? Force yourself to have an uncomfortable conversation. In Take A Hike, they share a fun AI exercise from the M(AI)VENS Substack — make a family crest. Then in The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah talk about the importance of saying the obvious thing when giving notes. This week’s Hollywood Hack will extend the life of your office chair — armrest covers. Finally, Liz recommends The Studio, starring Seth Rogen, on Apple+.
Sign up for Liz & Sarah’s free weekly Substack newsletter at https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com. It will come right to your inbox!
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Happier In Hollywood on Substack:
https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search
Clue Trails & Crime-Lines Mystery Screenwriting Workshop:
https://www.howtoliz.com/home/classes-and-consults
M(AI)VENS Substack:
Soft Neoprene Chair Arm Pad Covers:
Isccdy Soft Chair Arm Pad Covers:
The Studio trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIQuE7JGXU8
Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood manager, Executive Director of The Julia Child Foundation, and friend-of-the-pod Todd Schulkin about strategic planning. What is it? Why should they do it? And what is a SWOT analysis? Todd has answers! In The Craft (& Fain), they share an insight from fellow writer and Substacker Bill Gullo — writing is different than talking is different than thinking. This week’s Hollywood Hack will help you network: the HiHello business card app. Finally Sarah shares a true crime podcast recommendation — Murder 101.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at happierinhollywoodpod@substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Todd Schulkin:
http://schulkinmanagement.com/about.html
The Julia Child Foundation:
Storytellers Social Club:
HiHello:
Murder 101 podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-murder-101/id1724019923?i=1000640430098
Photo by Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Liz and Sarah continue to embrace this year’s team theme — Flower & Fly 2025 — by thinking of themselves as busy bees. Their organized buzzing has put them in a state of flow. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares why “art yarn” is a great metaphor for fighting perfectionism. In Take Two, they revisit the topic of muses and decide they’re going to start asking themselves, “What is your creative priority?” This week’s Hollywood Hack will make you smell good: Morton Essentials stick deodorant. Finally, Liz has two reality competition show recommendations for people who are missing Traitors — Million Dollar Secret on Netflix and Got To Get Out on Hulu.
Sign up for Liz and Sarah’s newsletter at happierinhollywoodpod@substack.com.
Get in touch on Instagram: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Get in touch on Threads: @Sfain & @LizCraft
Visit our website: https://happierinhollywood.com
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/
Happier in Hollywood is part of ‘The Onward Project,’ a family of podcasts brought together by Gretchen Rubin—all about how to make your life better. Check out the other Onward Project podcasts—Happier with Gretchen Rubin, andSide Hustle School . If you liked this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and tell your friends!
Note: Go to the Happier In Hollywood Facebook Group for Liz and Sarah’s extensive Teens/Tweens Gift Guide. Thanks to listeners for such great ideas! Link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/903150719832696/permalink/3081705578643855/
LINKS:
Happier In Hollywood on Substack:
https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search
Fain’s Honey Vintage Patch Hat: https://fainshoney.com/shop/ols/products/gray-fains-honey-hat
CALPAK Terra 35L Water Resistant Zippered Tote Bag:
https://www.calpaktravel.com/products/terra-35l-water-resistant-zippered-tote-bag/juniper
Amplify Planner:
https://www.amplifyplanner.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop7j8kFvguFn83s9FdJWGXSFgNoCxcjCe13l1OPaWMKCXFZwe5c
Legend Planner:
Expertly Dyed blog:
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Morton Essentials deodorant:
https://mortonessentials.com/products/sensitive-skin-orange-vanilla-deodorant-stick
Got To Get Out trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MRebuiHW5I
Million Dollar Secret trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daeL3XxrS-c
Photo: David FoodphototastyFor Unsplash+
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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